June 16, 2002

Mindekirken
June 16, 2002 5 Pentecost
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Matthew 9:35 – 10:8

Recently I heard this: A man had an exclusive sports car, but driving was not always fun. Quite often he was stopped by the police for routine control. Sometimes he felt under suspicion for having stolen the car, and he experienced this as racism. He felt he was stopped because he was black. White people with the same kind of car may not have been stopped so often. Everyday episodes like this may be like an infection in society: people are treated differently due to their skin color.

How do we treat other people? What image do we have of them? It depends on the eyes that see. In multi-cultural America there’s a big difference in what a politician, an anthropologist, an employer and a neighbor might see in other people. Our own standpoint and our values are decisive when it comes to how we regard our fellow men. It’s easier to suspect and despise human beings whom one does not know. Ignorance and prejudice may undermine our respect for others.

This June 6-8, the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA had their annual assembly at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. Marilyn and Ron Starr, and I represented Mindekirken. Approximately 600 people in all attended. Some of the resolutions that were discussed focused on our attitudes towards groups of other people. The synod resolved that an anti-racism statement should be developed to be presented for adoption at the 2003 Synod Assembly. Our synod has 98% white members, but we know that the figure for non-white people in Hennepin County, for instance, is almost 20%. The Twin Cities are changing rapidly into an increasingly more multi-cultural society. Many of the newer population groups come in on the lowest step of economic and social rank. But how do we then look at the new population groups?

We may ignore them. Just to provoke the thought – we may accompany the pastor and the levite in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. They ignored the poor man who had been robbed. The Bible says a lot of things, teaching us that ignoring the needs of others is a big sin.

We may look down on them. To regard oneself to be better than others is the center of racism It’s against all that the Bible teaches us that every person is created in the image of God, and that everyone has an incredible value.

We may also choose to see. See people as they are, go into the problems that are there, and work under the banner of loving one’s neighbor. It says about Jesus: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them. This was not condescending by Jesus. He saw others through the love of God. And he preached the gospel and cured their sicknesses.

At the banquet at the Synod Assembly, we had singing from many people of color in our congregations, Afro-American, Hmong, and Liberian people, if I remember right. After these items on the program, Bishop Craig Johnson said that this was a glimpse into the future of our synod. The Assembly was also concerned about doing more to reach our new fellow countrymen in the inner city. Here we still do too little. Jesus said:

The fastest growing congregation in our Synod doesn’t have its own church. It is the Ethiopian Oromo congregation which borrows Bethany Church on 25^th & Franklin Aves. every Sunday afternoon. I spoke with some of their leaders. They told about Norwegian missionaries who had meant a lot to the church in Ethiopia when they themselves grew up there. Some of you may even have heard the name of one of them: Johannes Sandve from Rogaland. The Lord of the harvest still sends out his laborers –from Norway, from Ethiopia, and wherever he may find people who are willing to go.

Another concern for the Assembly was the fact that many gay and lesbian people continue to be hesitant to let their sexual orientation be known, fearing embarrassment and exclusion. In 1999, our synod declared itself to be a Reconciled in Christ Synod. This program provides means for declaring an open welcome to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender person. It’s desirable that every congregation declares itself to be a Reconciled in Christ Congregation. This year’s synod resolution commended the 13 congregations that already have done this, and encourages all the other congregations to do the same. Mindekirken should also do this.

It’s not OK that this question remains "a non-existent thing". Many gay and lesbian people are suffering from the silence that often surrounds these questions. Some feel like the silence is antagonism and scorn. Unfortunately there are examples of homosexuals that have felt their situation so difficult that they didn’t see any other solution than taking their own life. Every one of us has to examine our own attitudes in a critical way. Do we ignore the homosexuals? Do we look down upon them? Or do we regard them with the same respect that every human deserves? We may learn from Jesus to see and listen to others. Jesus had love enough to take others as they were seriously. It says that he taught them and cured their diseases. It should not be interpreted as if the homosexuals have a disease that should be cured. Healing in this respect has to do with being met with respect and accepted the way one is.

We also resolved recognition of "the Non-violent Peace force movement." This is about recruiting and training volunteers to go into conflict situations to provide a non-violent peaceful presence. Violence is a bad way of solving a conflict. Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers." To work for peace is a part of the healing work of the church in the world today. Jesus saw people who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. And he didn’t close his eyes to what he saw, but he did something with it.

The same task that Jesus had is given to us as his disciples. And we may pray with the words which we soon will sing: "Help me to see with your sight, every people, who life and limits received, and carry the distress and shame of the world with your love’s flame."

I don’t know if I really dare to pray the words in this hymn, but it says: "Envelope me in your sufferings, and make me strong and warm." The suffering of Jesus here is the love he has for others who suffer. Social distress makes Jesus suffer today, but does it do that to us? Jesus suffers with all harassed people, the oppressed and the abused. He’s on the side of those who are affected by war and catastrophes, are we also?

But the most important is even though not that he suffers with , but that he suffered for all, he suffered also for us who to such a small extent manage to carry burdens for others. Jesus’ suffering for us is unique. That’s what makes the gospel something totally different from every social program. "The kingdom of heaven has come near." That was the heart of Jesus’ message. "You received without payment; give without payment"

We are allowed to go with a message that spells free from sin and guilt. We may proclaim the peace of God to people in a restless world. The gospel has not lost its power to set free. When the first disciples were sent out, there was a limit: "Go nowhere.. but to the house of Israel." But when Jesus gave the great commission, the instruction was clear: "all nations, to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20

Glory be to God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.

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